G&G Dove

It was so great to have my parents here for THREE WEEKS! They arrived on December 17th, and were here through the holidays and then until January 7th, which happens to be my Dad's birthday.

We had so much fun! And I tried to slow it down a bit to allow for rest between all our adventures so I wouldn't wear them out with our hectic lifestyle --  and I must admit I enjoyed that 'resting,' too! I actually slept in every day I could -- and took a couple of Sunday naps! Since we have 9am church now, that can happen...

Recently remodeled Henpeck Village Market

While they were here we got together for a 'homecooked' lunch with SUSAN BRIDGES and her daughter SUZETTE at the  Henpeck Village Market. It was delicious, and so fun to catch up with old friends.  

Snapped these photos as we sat across the table from each other. :)

We spent New Year's Eve at the Bennetts, playing games with a big group of friend and eating lots of good food! But silly me, didn't take any pictures!

Of course, we had record COLD temperatures here in Tennessee while they were here. What the heck!? They come south for the holidays, and we were actually colder here than Idaho on several days! Bizarre!

I did have to go back to work starting Jan. 2nd, during this FREEZE. We literally had about an INCH THICK of ice FROZEN to my windows one morning. Dad went out early and worked and worked to scrape my windows and warm up the van. And then he did Steve's car, too! It was so cold he even had to come in and trade in his traditional ball cap for a warm beanie!  (I did keep checking on him out the window...it was so cold out there, and the ice was so thick, I seriously thought he might have a heart attack or something. And let me assure you, "a lesser man" would have! If you know Dad, you get that reference.)

My hero, and "FATHER OF THE YEAR" AWARD STUFF RIGHT THERE, FOLKS!

Ready for church!

The day they left (Jan. 7th) was Dad's birthday, so we celebrated a day early. I worked from home that day, and between working on urgent Arizona DOC media issues, I baked dad a CHERRY PIE -- he loves pie, much more than cake.

BUMPS AND BRUISES
When I went in to get ready to go run an errand, I heard a THUMP-THUMP-THUMP in the living room, and heard Mom scream, "JAAAACK!" I was certain Dad had fallen down the stairs, so I grabbed my phone on my way out to the living room, preparing to call 911, praying there were no broken bones...but when I got out there, I saw Sam at the bottom of the stairs rubbing his sore hip, and saying he'd slipped and fallen down the last few stairs. Mom had only heard it, so she assumed it was Dad until she jumped off the couch and ran over there. So, although I hated that Sam fell, and had a bruised hiney, I was VERY GLAD it wasn't Dad...or Mom!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOOOOU!
In celebration of Dad's 74th birthday, we went to our favorite Mexican Restaurant, PANCHO'S, and of course had them surprise Dad with a birthday serenade complete with sombrero. They even brought an extra sombrero for Mom to wear!

Pancho's Birthday Celebration

Later that evening, we enjoyed some of his BIRTHDAY PIE ala mode. YUMM-O!

The next day I took them to the airport, and they enjoyed a smoooooth flight home. We had such a great time while they were here!

Just before we left for the airport -- (Mom's wearing a new scarf I gave
her for Christmas. She saw everyone here wearing them, and likes scarves
so much now, she bought several more while she was here to take home!
She'll be such the 'TRENDSETTER' when she gets back to Idaho!)

Love you, Mom & Dad!